May highlights: Overcoming brain hemorrhage, brachial plexus + more

Catch up on what you may have missed on Thriving last month. Our staff takes a look back at a few of this month’s favorite posts.

A sister’s words: The athlete who couldn’t be tamed by a brain hemorrhage

Carly is a superstar athlete, running a 5:32 mile at the young age of 14. Her heroes include Tom Brady, Malcolm Butler and Boston Children’s neurosurgeon Dr. Ed Smith. After emergency surgery to repair a brain hemorrhage Carly’s career aspirations have shifted, and the Cape Cod track star is now pondering the world of neurosurgery. Read A sister’s words: The athlete who couldn’t be tamed by a brain hemorrhage.

Tuberous sclerosis: Clinical trial may be what halted Charlotte’s seizures

Charlotte participates cheerfully in her exam with Jurriaan Peters, MD.

Four-year-old Charlotte has a rare genetic condition called tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). When medications failed to control her seizures, her family turned to Dr. Mustafa Sahin and Dr. Jurriaan Peters for answers. She qualified for a clinical trial that was focused on the TSC defect. Today she is virtually seizure-free and is starting kindergarten this fall. Read Tuberous sclerosis: Clinical trial may be what halted Charlotte’s seizures.

Never say never: Gymnast with brachial plexus soars

Photo credit: Robert Marra

17-year-old Julia whips around the uneven bars with apparent ease and effortlessly flips across the spring floor. It’s hard to believe that the captain of the Winthrop high school gymnastics team was diagnosed with brachial plexus birth palsy as a baby. Dr. Peter Waters cared for her from infancy and completed surgery to improve her range of motion and help her become the active teenager she is today. Read Never say never: Gymnast with brachial plexus soars.

Parent Q&A: Helping a daughter through breast reduction surgery

From unwanted attention to physical symptoms to dress shopping, her large breasts, or macromastia, made many things difficult during Mackenzie Langan’s high school years. The 18-year-old recently underwent breast reduction surgery to drop from a G cup to a C size. Her experience was profiled on ABC’s Nightline, and her mother reflects on the experience. Read Parent Q&A: Helping a daughter through breast reduction surgery.